For most of his adult life, Torres hid the
fact that he could not read or write. He went through South Dakota’s school
system, into the military (National Guard) and worked at a number of jobs
passing as someone who was literate.

However, in 1988, when he faced a decision
to continue this charade or admit that he was illiterate, he finally faced his
fear of being ridiculed and fessed up. It only took a lifetime of trauma, a
messy divorce, unemployment, alcoholism and a kind hand on his shoulder,
coupled with an understanding person who could help him attached to that hand,
to bring about the big change that opened the world of reading and writing to
him – but it happened.

And now, he wants to get a message out to
anyone else who may not be able to read and write. That message is simple:
People who are illiterate should “…hold their head up and be brave and admit
they need to learn this skill, that it’s important to know how to do this.”

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There were job applications to fill out
with this, and Torres recalls sitting at a table not knowing what the job
application said, being sweaty and nervous that his secret would finally be
revealed when someone would tell him to hurry up and complete the forms like
his co-workers were doing. He said he felt really stupid for holding up the
process.

That’s when a woman from the state Job
Service came over, put a gentle hand on his shoulder and said she could help
him if he needed help. Torres admitted to her that he could not read or write.
So she filled out the application for him and suggested he go to the Library to
find help. That is where he discovered theLiteracy
Council,he says.READ MORE @

TheNational
Assessment of Adult Literacyestimates that there are 3.4 million adults who read at or below the basic
literacy level in California. These adults are unable to read medicine labels,
election ballots or even bedtime stories to their children.

In an effort to help erase adult
illiteracy, theTuolumne County Libraryoffers free one-on-one tutoring for adults
who need help with reading, writing, mathematics and high school equivalency
test skills in advance of taking the test.

“There are myriad reasons why people who
have reached adulthood may not yet have learned to read,” says a Tuolumne
County Library release. “Often problems started before age 4, such as frequent
moving as a child, overcrowded or underfunded classrooms, or childhood health
problems that precluded the person from learning how to read.”

“Since the literacy program was created in
1997, we have helped more than 1,410 area residents learn to read,” the release
continues. “Last year alone, we helped 65 adults and provided 1,300 instruction
hours in the community. This service is staffed by more than 20 volunteer
tutors who meet with their students at least once a week. Together they work
toward helping learning adults achieve goals that will enhance their lives.”

“Adults who have not yet learned to read
often suffer low self-esteem, believing they have failed and are beyond help.
To help combat these anxieties, our volunteers work with students individually,
adjusting teaching techniques to fit the individual.”READ MORE @

The tension in
the Provo City Library Ballroom was high Tuesday as the announcer read off the
proper way to spell the second word inProject Read’sspelling bee.

“K-Y-P-H-O-S-I-S,”
the announcer said as the audience punctuated each letter with cheers of
excitement.

The word,
which means an excessive curvature of the back, was the hardest word the
participants had seen at that time, but it had nothing on the final word of the
day: wallydraigle.

While the
spelling bee was lighthearted and fun, Project Read Executive Director Shauna
Brown said it’s all for a good cause.

The spelling
bee, which is in its 10th year, gives Project Read a chance to raise money and
awareness for adult illiteracy. They strive to teach reading to adults that
never learned how to do so.

“It’s a
systemic problem and if we eliminate it, we eliminate so many other problems,”
Brown said. -=“People who struggle with literacy don’t just struggle with
literacy.”

Valerie
Curtis, who went through the program, said learning to read really changed her
life. Before she learned to read, she struggled at work, had issues teaching
her children and faced many challenges most people wouldn’t imagine.

“It was very
difficult for someone who was afraid to buy fresh vegetables because I couldn’t
figure out how much it would cost at the check stand,” she said.READ MORE @